Police Find $1.5 Million During Traffic Stop in Collinsville

A 62 year old woman leads police to $1.5 million in cash packed in 27 vacuum-sealed plastic bags. Carole Galvez of Gila Arizona was charged Monday with money laundering.

MADISON COUNTY, Ill. (KMOX) — A traffic stop of a 62 year old woman leads police to $1.5 million in cash packed in 27 vacuum-sealed plastic bags. Carole Galvez of Gila Arizona was charged Monday with money laundering.

Madison County State’s Attorney Tom Gibbons said in a news release that Galvez faces up to 15 years in prison if convicted.

She was being held Wednesday in the Madison County Jail in lieu of $500,000 bail.

Last Friday, state troopers pulled over a Galvez on I-55 near Collinsville for improper lane usage with an illegal license plate cover. “Conversation with the driver led the trooper to believe there was criminal activity,” Illinois State Police spokesman Sgt. Mike Link said.

Upon further investigation, the Trooper located 27 vacuum-sealed plastic bags containing $1,589,860 in U.S. currency.

“Cash amounts this large are usually connected to illegal drug trafficking,” said District 11 Commander, Captain Brad Parsons. “Drugs destroy lives and rip families apart, but when our officers apply training and solid police work, they are able to hinder the ability of these criminal enterprises from harming more people,” he added.

The Illinois State Police and the Metropolitan Enforcement Group of Southern Illinois (MEGSI) collaborated on this investigation. They worked closely with the Madison County State’s Attorney’s office to secure charges.